The money was loaned to provide liquidity, and paid back with (low) interest. I would need to look it up, but IIRC overall the feds made money on the bailout,

The money was loaned to provide liquidity, and paid back with (low) interest. I would need to look it up, but IIRC overall the feds made money on the bailout, especially to the banks, but took a slight haircut on the money they lent to automakers. Of course, that haircut doesn't factor in the benefit in keeping those industries alive and keeping those people employed (IMO very worth the price), but that's a bigger question.